St. Charles Poker/Fun Run
The 2026 St. Charles Poker Run / Fun Run is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026, in the St. Charles and Pool 26 region along the Mississippi River, bringing together local performance boaters, river runners, pontoons, and recreational boating crews for a grassroots-style day on the water.
The event is being organized around a casual fun-run atmosphere, with boats traveling between river establishments, beach stops, marinas, and gathering areas throughout the Pool 26 boating community. The run is designed to give participants a reason to get back on the water, visit local stops, draw cards, and enjoy the river without the structure of a large formal poker run.
The day will begin at The Boathouse, which will serve as the main start and stop location. Participants will register there, receive their numbered collection bag, draw their first card at sign-up, receive the rule sheet, and have the opportunity to draw a second card at the restaurant. The Boathouse will also serve as the final card turn-in location, with cards due back by 7:00 p.m. sharp at the white pop-up tent.
Players are required to provide their complete name, email address, and phone number when registering. Each poker hand is $50, and players may purchase multiple hands. Each hand purchased will receive one clear gallon zip-lock bag marked with the player’s number. Participants should make sure their contact information is clearly printed on the paper inside the collection bag before turning it in.
Players may draw cards at any of the listed stops. Only five total cards are needed to make a poker hand, so participants are not required to visit all available stops. One card may be drawn at each location, with the possibility of collecting up to eight total cards depending on the stops visited.
Organizers emphasized that cards and envelopes must not be opened by players. If an envelope is opened when it is turned in, that hand will be considered null and void. If a mistake is made at the time of the draw, such as accidentally opening an envelope during the draw process, another card may be drawn at that time. Cheating will not be tolerated.
Standard poker rules will apply. An ace may be played high or low, with the lowest possible hand being ace, 2, 3, 4, 5. Suit values, in descending order, are spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs. A royal flush is the highest possible hand. Five of a kind will not be honored, and all hands other than a straight flush must be representative of the four suits.
After drawing their final card, players must return their sealed collection bag to The Boathouse at the white pop-up tent. Players should not remove cards or open envelopes. Envelopes will be opened at the end by the organizer, and hands will be stapled to the board with the player’s name and number attached.
Card turn-in is due by 7:00 p.m. sharp. Winners will be announced once all hands are accounted for. Participants do not need to be present to win. A treasure chest will be available at the tent so players may turn in their cards at any point before 7:00 p.m. and continue enjoying the day.
Prize Payout
The prize allocation will be an 80/20 split between first and second place. Organizers are requesting cash only to make it easier to pay winners the day of the event, if possible.
As an example, if 45 total hands are sold at $50 per hand, the prize pool would be $2,250. First place would receive $1,800, and second place would receive $450. The final payout will depend on the total number of hands sold.
In the event of a tie, winners will share the allocated prize percentage for that place.
Checkpoint and Card Stop Information
The Boathouse will be the start and stop location. Participants will sign up, receive their bag, draw one card at registration, receive the rule sheet, and have the opportunity to draw a second card at the restaurant.
Uncharted Marine will serve as a card stop at the fuel dock. Kaidy from Uncharted and Kayla from HydroSeams are expected to be there for part of the day. Participants can stop for fuel, merchandise, ice, and a card draw.
521 Beach will be another stop on the route. Participants should look for Tina and Mike, who will be with a large double-decker pontoon boat. Organizers noted that beach stops may be busy, so boaters should plan accordingly.
Two Branch Beach will also serve as a card stop. Participants should look for Patrico, Darren, and Jess. This is expected to be another busy beach stop, so crews are encouraged to allow extra time.
Sawmill Grill at Yacht Club of St. Louis will be open during the event. Participants may park at the courtesy dock, walk up to Sawmill Bar, and draw a card behind the bar.
Kinders will be celebrating its grand opening that day. Participants are asked to be patient during this stop. Cards will be located behind the upstairs bar.
Pirates of the Mississippi will be the longest run on the route. Organizers are hoping for calm water so participants can enjoy a smooth ride to the stop. Cards will be located behind the bar.
Bonus Stop: FastJax Grocery
FastJax Grocery, located at 3317 N. Hwy. 94, 63301, will serve as a bonus stop on the way to The Boathouse by car. The store is expected to open around 9:00 a.m.
Participants may stop at FastJax for breakfast, boat sandwiches, pizza, snacks, ice, beer, seltzers, liquor, and other supplies before heading to the event. Players may draw a card at FastJax and should let the registration tent know when signing up that they already grabbed a card there.
FastJax Grocery can be reached at 636-699-5716. Participants who want to preorder boat sandwiches on Friday are encouraged to call ahead so the store can prepare accordingly and help reduce wait times on event day.
Event organizers stressed that the Poker Run / Fun Run is not intended to be a race. Participants are encouraged to operate safely, wear life jackets, watch river traffic, use working kill-switch lanyards where applicable, and plan extra time around beach stops and busy docks.